Posted by OP Sequence
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
OP: 「TRY UNITE!」 by 中島愛 (Nakajima Megumi)
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
「鴨川デイズ」 (Kamogawa Deizu)
“Kamogawa Days”
Before anything else, I feel I should mention who should watch this. This OVA is fanservice in its purest sense. No, not in that there are boobs and asses flashing all over the place – other than a little teasing at the very beginning and the very end, there’s not much of that – but in that this gives what existing fans of the series will enjoy, but little of worth to anyone else. For those of you who have watched both seasons (or even just up to the end of Season 1, since after that is where this OVA takes place), this will give you another dose of those characters you’ve come to love. Not much happens save for a little foreshadowing – the first appearance of Miki Reiko and the origin of Madoka’s scrunchie chief among them – but the characters are still likable and carefree and enjoyable and it’s a good time. For everyone else, I suggest you start back on the first episode of Season 1 before you even consider diving into this.
With that out of the way, this OVA takes place in between the events of Season 1 and Season 2 (as previously noted), which suggests two immediate problems. First of all, it’s completely unnecessary, story-wise. That’s pretty standard for OVAs, but it bears mentioning…if you don’t see this, there will be no appreciable difference on your enjoyment of the series as a whole. Secondly, having it take place between the two seasons is one of the worst possible places to locate it because nothing happens then! Sure, it’s also the only place there’s a lot of time (continuity-wise) for an extra story, but there’s no action, there’s no tension, and Madoka, Lan, and Muginami aren’t even on the same planet at the time! That’s a horrible handicap to labour under, because lemme tell you, I never watched Rinne no Lagrange for heart warming stories of Madoka getting a tan or goofing off with Sacchi and Michi. I watched it for super optimistic giant robot battles starring Madoka and her waifus. ‘Nuff said.
So as you might suspect of a 45-minute OVA taking place during a time in the story where nothing much happens, it was a bit slow at times. At around the 25 minute mark I was actually starting to get pretty bored, though it did recover shortly thereafter. It was just sort of aimless and without the heavy hitting characters that made me love Rinne no Lagrange in the first place, so know that going in. It was also rather odd how Lan and Muginami were so chummy, considering how they were at each other’s throats during Season 2 Episode 1. I know there were extenuating circumstances there, but still…that’s not the Jersey-bu spirit!
That said, if you’re an old fan of the series then there are worse things you can do than take a little spin down memory lane. And honestly, if this thing had been about 10 minutes shorter, I think it would have been a lot stronger. It just took too long to get to the squishy Lan and Muginami bits at the end (which were by then too far away from the other squishy Lan, Muginami, and Madoka bits at the beginning).
So that’s the OVA. Now I’d like to close with a little reminiscing about the series as a whole. Since I started blogging for RandomC a little less than a year ago, it’s been a rare month that LagRin didn’t touch in some way. I remember Divine talking about it when he was teaching me all the technical stuff – he was watching the pre-air of Season 1 Episode 1, as I recall – and his reaction is what slid it firmly over into my watch list. Good thing too, because that meant when Divine had to go on hiatus, I was practically frothing at the mouth to finish the season out! So I finished that one off, then took care of Season 2, and kept after it all the way up to this post today. Rinne no Lagrange has in many ways defined my blogging career so far…is what I’d say if I didn’t have a massive ego, but I do, so I think I defined it! *smug*
Yet I find myself wondering how well this series has held up. While watching this episode, I had trouble remembering small details, like what happened to Hiroshi’s wife or how much time was supposed to pass between seasons. That doesn’t bode well for it being an enduring sci-fi masterpiece! Well, after some contemplation, here’s what I think. At times, Rinne no Lagrange was a masterpiece. Most of Season 1 qualified as that, with probably the zenith of the series coming at the end of Episode 11 – though the early parts of Season 2, particularly Episode 2, Episode 3, and the fun with Yurikano that centered around Episode 6, were great as well. That said, it had a tendency to pull its punches, and never built up to a true catharsis which would have moved the series from “great at times” to “amazing, always.” The series finale was especially disappointing, not in that it was bad, just that it wasn’t as good as it could have been.
I guess, though it hasn’t even been that long yet, I’m not sure how well LagRin has aged. The subtle skill of episodes like Season 1 Episode 9 is undermined by the lack of epic, defining moments. It’s almost like LagRin never wanted to have the spotlight, which is a shame because Madoka is, and always was, absolutely maru. Still, I’m glad to have both watched and blogged this series. I always say we could do with more original anime, and this was a damned enjoyable one. Flawed perhaps, but it gave us some moments I’ll never forget. And that’s not too bad, ne?
tl;dr: @StiltsOutLoud – A little trip down memory lane with the #lagrin girls. Not much happens, but it was nice to see everyone again.
Random thoughts:
- Asteria told Lan that “nyan” was a New Years greeting. You’re such a troll, Asteria-chan! But Madoka going nyan herself? POSSIBLY EVEN BETTER!
- I like how Array not only cross-dresses, but does it 120%. That’s the Jersey-bu spirit!
- “I don’t know why, but I’ve always gotten a lot of chocolate from girls.” “Madoka is such a chick magnet!” I rofl’d heartily, I must say. It’s because you’re so yuri-licious, Madoka-chan!
- Braided twintails Lan is chou kawaii, yo.
- A shopping space station? Imagine what Black Friday must be like in that thing. Ugh. I think I threw up a little bit.
- Giuvi-nii is such a commercial whore. So that’s how he makes his money! I do approve of him making his imouto all embarrassed about how her onii-chan is some kind of royal idol, though. We could use more of that in this world.
- I feel like the people of the real Kamogawa are getting screwed out of some serious licensing dollars (yen, space credits, whatever) for this Kamogawa replica place. Don’t they have copyright laws in outer space?
- Sensei, she’s your student, you can’t do that! …but you totally should, immediately!!
- That’s the Jersey-bu sempais for you. How maru!
Full-length images: 01, 04, 05, 06, 09, 12, 29, 51.
ED12.5 Sequence
 |
 |
 |
ED12: 「HELLO」 by 中島愛 (Nakajima Megumi)
THIS SHOW SUCKED SOME MAJOR ASS.
cool story, bro.
why exactly are you here again? to comment on an OVA that’s not even broadcast anime?
That’s like going to blockbuster to complain about straight to dvd movies. sure, you can do it, but the real question is…why? =.=
I think the only think that this show sucked is your major ass.
If don’t like the show , no need to insult it. At least provide valid reasoning to your view
Don’t feed the trolls, my friends. Criticism backed up by reasoning (or at least not done in all caps) is always welcome in my posts – in fact, I encourage it! However, mindless haters should be ignored. They’re not worth the time spent responding to them.
Yes Madoka, even when your harem is not around fate determines that ladies will be all over you. Its the law of the unveirse.
“I kissed a girl and i liked it…”
I didn’t even know this came out?! Where can I watch this cause I couldn’t find it on Animeultima or Anime-Access!
Try nosub.tv, its there, just good luck looking for it
https://randomc.net/image/Rinne%20no%20Lagrange/Rinne%20no%20Lagrange%20-%2012.5%20-%20Large%2020.jpg
Damn, she’s hawt.
Happy to see madoka and her waifus. 🙂 Thanks for the post STILTS. side note: The new year is coming up, so i wonder if there will be a ton of pictures of Lan and her Nyan phrase with her waifus as well 😛
idiot trio needs more screen time or their own spinoff/ova
I would not be opposed!
the best part of the OVA is seeing TRY UNITE! as the OP again. this is not up for debate.
This was first aired as a limited release movie back in June (before season 2 aired), so it’s not fully accurate to say this was unnecessary. It was mostly trying to keep/hopefully increase interest leading into the second season. So the situation is a little different from an insert episode OVA that was released way after the show finished. Just to clarify.
Bold added for emphasis.
This had many business purposes, from generating hype (and monies) when it was first screened to selling some extra BDs now. Story ones though, are harder to justify.
Woops guess I read too fast.
Yup it’s pure fanservice. To reward the fans who bought the ps3 game that OVA was bundled with, game that got out in august iirc. And like a42 said there was also a screening of it in june.
I didn’t find it slow at all. I was just feeling fluffy. I loved this OVA, it was really heartwarming. My favorite scene was Muginami and Villa back at Muginami’s home planet, I think that’s even one of my favorite scene in the whole show.
Why am I so attracted to women have mutual lesbian fantasies with each other with a science fiction twist?
Damn it, Japan. Always coming up with new fetishes.
I’ll admit: it feels a bit bland now that I know how it ended. My take is that, this OVA’s only fault is timing.
Still I loved Rinne No Lagrange and I love the yuri. I love the shows’ setting and the characters.
I watch this series for cute girls doing cute things with giant robots. And Madoka’s maru! attitude.
The feel of this OVA is exactly what made RnL so distinctive. I’m glad they followed that path rather than something more plot heavy. Most anime plot is shallow anyway (shows like Tempest and the other Madoka notwithstanding), so that’s not bad. RnL eschews that path and it shows fun, random, and sometimes hilarious character interactions while they hang out. They don’t title it ‘Kamogawa Days’ for nothing; Kamogawa has a quaint and relaxed beach vibe.
I’ve made a pilgrimage to Kamogawa before, so seeing many of the sites in the show just adds to the cheerful and nostalgic experience. And you can get a serious tan there, too.
This is somewhat of a late reply, but I find it a little dull that it is the year 2033 in the RnL world; precisely May 11th, year 2033 in the episode according to that poster. That is 21 years ahead of our calendar and their earth’s technology barely improved aside from the Wii.
anyway, regarding Madoka, to be frank I would be able to eat my meals in peace of someone with her personality becomes President of the US. She would directly give the county a nickname like Jersey Country, and the proceed in doing a lot of weird things while waving her own handmade large flag. She is really something, getting unnerved when being broadcasted in the universe, I would get a stoke knowing I was being broadcast. Not to mention Madoka is likely getting Yuri fans, due to this episode.
of the three, Lan has always been my favorite girl. Her most dominant aspect of this anime is MOE. She is the type that makes a guy happy with her rather attempts, mostly a failure, to do her best.
What’s more shocking is how the people of Replica Kamogawa are using Kanji and English words, English especially, since when did either of the two writing systems became part of the interplanetary language.